posted November 11, 2006 18:31
All the hub bub surrounding the selection of the New Seven Wonders of the World got me to thinking, if I could only see the items on one list, which would it be? Well, the New Seven Wonders have yet to be decided, but will be announced on 7/7/07. The list of 21 candidates is below

Of course, I’d love to see all of them, but if I had to make a choice, I believe I would choose the original list of Ancient Wonders. Which would you choose, based on the lists below?

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

The Temple of ArtemisThe Hanging Gardens of BabylonThe Colossus of RhodesThe Mausoleum at HalicarnassusThe Lighthouse at AlexandriaThe Pyramids at GizaThe Statue of Zeus

As if that weren’t enough, Good Morning America (American news/chat show) recently assembled a panel of great thinkers of our time to select a list of New Seven Wonders (supposedly of the modern world).

I've had opportunities to see the northern lights and grand canyon, but none of the others so far. Perhaps one day.

I'm surprised to see that the Statue of Liberty is on the list of candidates, but Mount Rushmore is not. Somehow Mount Rushmore seems like a muge larger accomplishment, although the statue stands for something more significant.

I would also have put China's Forbidden City on the list, because it is a lot more wondrous than many of the other entries.

It's also interesting to note that the Giza pyramids, one of the wonders of the ancient world, are on the new wonders list too. It ought to be in by default as a result

If I had to choose the other six, I'd pick Easter Island and Stonehenge because I love the fact that nobody really knows why ancient people felt the need to make what they left behind (although the movie Rapa Nui offers an interesting, albeit totally fictional, account of Easter Island). Chichen Itzá and Machu Picchu for similar reason, although they're just ancient ruins and not really huge mysteries. The Great Wall and The Colosseum because they're just that impressive (although I think the Roman aqueduct system is actually more impressive, if not as showy).

Hmm... I seem to have a preference for ancient ruins over modern constructions. I'm sure there's a psychologist somewhere who'd have a field day with that.

The Famous DruidMember # 1769

posted November 11, 2006 23:17
Whoever put Victoria Falls on the list has obviously never seen Iguazu Falls, far more impressive.

This little picture doesn't do them any justice.

skylarMember # 1422

posted November 12, 2006 07:59
I'd definitely pick the original seven Ancient Wonders, but that's because there's such an obviously Classical bent to the list, and it brings out a rush of geeky joy within me

I have to say, though - what is the point of making such a list? I find it vaguely irritating that people feel that they have to come up with a definitive set of things which can be called wonders, which are then force fed to others. How many cool things have been overlooked by time because they just missed out on making the Seven Wonders list?

BooBooKittyMember # 5566

posted November 12, 2006 08:44
I've been to Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto. And while it is an interesting temple, I don't think it's spectacular enough to be considered a wonder of the world.

As for natural wonders, I think that Waimea Canyon on the island of Kauai is worth a mention.

posted November 12, 2006 18:52
We get lots of questions at the library about various wonders lists.

I think the terracotta warriors in China are pretty spectacular.

I think Rushmore has that whole made on Native American holy lands thing going against it. Or maybe that isn't why they left it off.

The Famous DruidMember # 1769

posted November 12, 2006 19:03

quote:Originally posted by Aditu:I think Rushmore has that whole made on Native American holy lands thing going against it. Or maybe that isn't why they left it off.

Could be because it's an cheap copy of Stone Mountain (which features Confederate 'heroes'). There are, of course, pretty obvious reasons why _that_ would be left off the list.

JamesDublinMember # 6177

posted November 13, 2006 00:28
I'd be intersted in seeing the Seven Natural Wonders Of The World although every list definitely holds appeal.Pleasantly suprised to see the CN Tower on the Modern World list, but after my visit last year it's a wonder how they can charge the prices they do! (First they charge you for thinking about going, then they charge admission, then...)

booMember # 5991

posted November 13, 2006 19:26
D'oh! I forgot the Seven Natural Wonders. Even still, I think I'd stick with my selection of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. I'd especially love to see the Colossus of Rhodes, the pyramids at Giza and the Statue of Zeus.

Steen, I too was puzzled by the Statue of Liberty as one of the new contenders. But then, several things on that list don't strike me as Wonderous enough to be a wonder. I agree with your take on the nomination though.

Aditu, the terracotta soilders! That would be a great candidate. In fact, I was just discussing them with another GC member. Now that is something I would really love to see. Fascinating.

sosumiMember # 1106

posted November 13, 2006 19:52
Got a time machine?

booMember # 5991

posted November 13, 2006 20:14

quote:Originally posted by sosumi: Got a time machine?

Now that would be a wonder.

Astronomer JediMember # 4699

posted November 13, 2006 22:03
How come there are no Big Science facilities in the list?